Barbel personal-best doubled in memorable session

Ian Halford’s short session on the Hampshire Avon produced one of the most stunning fish of his career as he banked a 13lb 13oz barbel.

The venue regular visited the prolific Royalty Fishery stretch of the waterway and sought expert advice on which of the swims to visit.

He eventually settled upon an area known as Mugs Hole and used legered luncheon meat to tempt the all-important wrap round.

His catch was made even more impressive when he revealed that the barbel almost doubled his previous best for the species.

 


New world record Siamese carp banked

A prediction that a special fish was going to come his way proved correct for Keith Williams as he landed a new world record Siamese carp of 134lb 7oz during a holiday to Thailand.

The Surrey based rod made the long journey to the prolific Gillhams Fishing Resort and upon his arrival stated to friends that he could ‘feel it in his bones’ that a specimen of huge proportions would be heading his way.

With very few indications coming in the early stages, it looked as though his dream wouldn’t come true but that all changed when a big fish picked up his double 25mm pellet hookbait.

If verified by the International Game Fish Association it will beat the previous official best of 114lb 10oz.

 


A lunchtime date with 51lb 9oz Dave

A surprise lunchtime bite produced one of the finest day-ticket carp in the country for Chris Lilley.

The 51lb 9oz mirror, known as Dave, came from Swan Lake at Northamptonshire’s Bluebell complex during a 48-hour weekend session.

Chris, who once caught Benson, the venue’s much-loved 60lb common, got the take at 1.15pm.

The 49-year-old Cambridgeshire rod said: “The lake was busy but I went for an area that was due to be facing the wind and which was receiving less pressure from other anglers.

“I was fishing to a silty gulley about 30 yards out and put all three rods on the spot, along with about 4kg of Mainline Hybrid boilies.

“The take came after approximately 20 hours, at about 1.15pm, and was really out of the blue. At first light I’d seen quite a big fish showing itself to the right of the spot, but I was just thinking about reeling in the rods when I got the bite.
He added: “It was a top result.”

Chris fished a Hybrid boilie on a combi rig comprising fluorocarbon and ESP Sink Link, and a size 6 Korda Wide Gap X hook.


14lb 1oz barbel caught in match

A fundraising match to collect cash for a brace of groups dedicated to improving fish stocks ended in style as winner Kevin Dyer banked a 14lb 1oz barbel from the Hants Avon.

The venue regular was taking part in the event to help boost the coffers of The Avon Roach Project and Barbel Society and took home the honours after the big specimen fell for a legered meatball.

Over 70 fishermen got involved in the annual get together, with angling icons such as Chris Yates donating tackle to raffle off in aid of both causes.

By the end of the day they had raised £6,000 to help both outfits push on with various schemes.

 


Broads sport is set to soar

The rising popularity of UK river angling shows no sign of slowing down this week as a venue regarded as many as ‘the best natural fishery in the UK’ announces an ambitious project that will see hundreds of new pegs created and the opening of free previously un-fished stretches.

Anglers that have been fishing the famous Norfolk Broads for over 50 years have regarded the fishing so far in 2013 to be the best that it’s interconnecting river systems have ever produced with 170 anglers recently weighing in well over a tonne of roach and skimmers from the Rivers Bure and Thurne.

But the future looks even brighter for visiting anglers thanks to a collaboration between Norwich & District Angling Association, the Broads Angling Strategy Group and the Environment Agency.

They are working to open up 150 pegs on a previously inaccessible stretch of the River Bure upstream of Upton, 40 new pegs downstream of Upton Dyke over 40 new pegs on the Thurne system.

News that will not only come as music to the ears of the thousands of coarse anglers that visit the venues every year to plunder the vast shoals of roach and bream, but also predator fishermen that will go in search of the huge pike that lurk within these plentiful waterways.

“The broads are in the best form ever and it’s a massive step forward to be able to work on these plans that could see so much new water opened up to visiting anglers because who knows what sort of catches are possible from these areas,” said Tony Gibbons Chairman of N&DAA.

“Our partnership has already seen over 100 new pegs created in 2013, which have produced some really huge catches and there’s no doubt that the new areas will do the same and the other great aspect of this is that the fishing is free.”

This news comes in the same year that has seen a revival in the popularity in river fishing with the birth of Dave Harrell’s Riverfest, which is being staged on some of the best running water venues in the UK.

Top match angler and Broads fishing fanatic Mark Pollard is of the opinion that the expansion and development of the system is just what the sport needs.

“The Broads encompass the best natural venues in the UK and the fact that you’ll be able to fish new areas that would probably only be accessible by a boat is fantastic and will open up a world of possibilities for anglers of all disciplines,” said Mark.
To find out more about the BASG visit: www.basgonline.org


Swim change pays off with huge 42lb mirror

Moving swims in the pouring rain paid off enabled Matt Eaton to bank this 42lb mirror.
The Greys and Chub Academy member didn’t let the weather stop him moving on to feeding fish before extracting the specimen from a whole in the weed.

He said: “I moved swims in the pouring rain after finding a couple of feeding fish. I baited with a couple of handfuls of Mainline Cell and managed to take the big mirror from a small hole in the weed.”

Matt used a chod rig incorporating G-Force components, a length of leadcore and a 1.1oz lead. The fish was tamed on a 3.5lb-test-curve Greys Aircurve rod.

 


New gear stars at UK show

Fishing’s top gear for 2014 was on display at the UK’s biggest trade show this week – and Angling Times were there to bring you the highlights.

Major manufacturers including Fox, Nash, Preston Innovations, Daiwa, Leeda, Pure Fishing, Hardy Greys, and Shimano all headed to Tackle & Guns at Stoneleigh, Warks to showcase their new kit for the season ahead.

They were backed by leading lights from the bait and accessory world too, and for many visitors it was the first time they could to get their hands on the tackle we’ll all be using next year.

From rods and reels to boilies to brollies, flagship poles to cut-price reels, and thousands of brand new accessories, all aspects of fishing were catered for at the big event on Sunday and Monday.

And there was good news for UK anglers as many of the prices on big ticket items were on a par with previous seasons, and in some cases cheaper, while the volume of new kit from all the major manufacturers was reassuring for the industry.

Angling Times editor Steve Fitzpatrick said: “Angling Times has seen a lot of the new gear in recent weeks but every company seemed to have a trick or two up their sleeve with some exciting additions to their ranges.

“It was also a delight to see that innovation was high on the agenda for many of our top UK-based tackle manufacturers while the bait makers delivered exciting new creations which wowed the crowds too.”

Some of the highlights of the show included a radical new pole roller from Matrix, plus several new bivvy and brolly systems for the big carp boys from Fox and Nash, and a host of new pole ranges from the likes of Preston Innovations, Sensas, and MAP.

As Angling Times reveals on our tackle pages this week, Shimano also have a whole host of goodies for 2014 with some of their best-ever mini-sized, match, and big pit reels also finding favour with the crowds.

The new Hardy TXL rod range also drew some admiring glances and we reckon will make a big impact on the banks next season.

Mark's Tackle & Guns showstoppers
Angling Times has already brought you many of the new tackle items launched for 2014 over the past few weeks but we managed to find a few goodies at the show…

1 Matrix Quad Pole Rollers
Match brand Matrix unveiled two new rollers which can be used completely flat or cranked up to 6ft-plus to use on hard banks or set up in deep water when fishing from a platform in the water, and every height in-between. Inverted rollers on the end of the main V help protect your carbon when fishing in strong winds. Two sizes - £79.99 and £114.99.

2 Matrix Festival Bag
Foil-lined bag ideal for bait but with the addition of compartments to keep items of tackle in too. Sure to be a big hit on the commercial scene. Price £49.99

3 Fox Royale Classic Bivvy
New for 2014, this new shelter offers all the benefits of a Fox-grade bivvy but at an affordable price. Pram-hood design is easy to set up in minutes and has a classic letterbox zip door and mozzie-front. Price: £169.99

4 Fox Brolly System
This new system features shorter ribs for adding more space inside to allow you to get a full bedchair underneath for quick overnighters. Four ribs can be pinned to the ground for extra stability. Comes with storm poles, groundsheet and side supports. Price: £199.99

5 Sensas pole range
Bait giant Sensas unveiled four new poles for next year – all designed for the UK commercial stillwater angler with carp-proof kit from 13m to 14.5m. Prices will start at just £199.99 and go up to £799.99 with impressive top kit additions too.

6 Hardy Greys GFR freespool reels
Two new models – the first-ever freespool for the famous company – run of 10 ball bearings with special springloaded line clips and self-righting handles for problem-free casting. Will come in 5000 and 6000 body sizes. Price from £64.99

7 Hardy Greys Prodigy TXL rods
A massive range of fourteen feeder, float, specimen, and barbel rods all with progressive actions and made from a high-end carbon. Feature cork handles with rubberised grips which repel fishing grime. Finished in gunsmoke matt for that custom-rod look. Prices from £70 to £100

8 Sonik Tournos 8000 reel
A super ‘buy two, get one free’ deal will see this reel fly of the tackle shop shelves as carpers look to upgrade their kit. All black, it runs on nine ball bearings with a machined handle, two line clips, manual-release bail arm, and quick drag that completely locks up. Comes with deep and shallow spools.

9 Starbaits D-Tec SR-2R alarms
The carp arm of Sensas are huge on the continent and are bringing more previously unseen tackle over in 2014. The full metal casing of the alarms makes them bombproof and a powerful receiver which will work in dense woodland swims. Also feature illuminating mag-wheels for ultimate bite detection. Available in singles or sets from £69.99.











Grafham sees record perch hit the bank

Predator fishing haven Grafham Water hit top form this week when a trio of huge specimens were landed from the on-form fishery.

Seasoned specimen angler Gareth Goldson led the way after he enjoyed one of the greatest weeks of his career while targeting the Cambridgeshire venue.
The Dynamite Baits rod set his sights on landing a big perch from the 1,500 acre reservoir and struck gold when he slipped the net under an immaculate 4lb 7oz venue record specimen.

Having spent years analysing the feeding habits of the fish in the water, he was convinced that his best chance of success would come at first light and within 15 minutes of casting his jig out the line tightened up.

“My initial thought was that it was a zander but its head began to shake I had a feeling I was into a massive perch,” explained Gareth.

“Once it was in the boat I couldn’t believe what I’d landed and I even thought it was over 5lb. It was a truly remarkable fish and showed that doing your homework can pay off.”

But Gareth’s run of form didn’t end there as he revisited the water with a completely different target – a new personal best zander.

A campaign on his local Fenland rivers hadn’t produced any major successes so he hooked up with venue expert Adam Perna to try and break his duck.

Bites were hard to come by but with the light drawing in they were given a welcome boost when Gareth landed a 2lb 15oz perch and shortly afterwards he was in action again: “I felt a couple of subtle plucks before I made contact with what felt like a pike. It felt so heavy bringing it up on the tiny rod and I just prayed the jig stayed in place,”

“I wasn't surprised to see the scales spin round to 15lb 1oz and it made a frustrating day more than worthwhile,” added Gareth, who used 10lb braid and an 8lb fluoro leader to a small Savage Gear shad.

He wasn’t alone in enjoying the frantic sport as Paul Douglas banked a new pb pike of 27lb 2oz.

The Northampton rod used mackerel deadbaits in deep water to land the big fish before taking his first ever double figure zander of 10lb 10oz and another weighing 10lb 12oz.

 

 


Sack Up On Bream At Calf Heath

For some cracking autumn bream sport we recommend you pay a visit to Calf Heath Reservoir in Cannock. With recent match weights topping 70lb, now is a great time to visit the 19 acre water where the Method feeder is currently doing the damage.

It is proving fairly simple to sack up with a 50lb weight and locating fish in big waters such as this can often prove tricky but at Calf Heath it’s proving fairly easy with skimmers to 2lb and roach nudging the 1lb mark featuring regularly. A variety of tactics work, but a Method or traditional groundbait feeder with either double dead red maggot hookbait or a small section of worm often scores best. A chuck of around 30-40 yards should suffice but try further out if the weather is bright and clear.
When targeting skimmers on the long pole, introduce six big balls of dark fishmeal groundbait to start with and top up with small nuggets during periods of inactivity.
Big bags of roach are a possibility on the long pole line and loose-feeding casters regularly over the top of a light rig will soon get the fish into a feeding frenzy.
Have two rigs setup, one for fishing on the deck and the other for up in the water as the roach will often choose to feed shallow, even if there has been a harsh frost the night before which wont be too far away given the time of year.

TIP: When using the feeder, if you are plagued by line bites but don’t receive any proper bites, try casting shorter as the fish are likely to be sat closer to the bank.

Calf Heath Reservoir, Cannock
Prices: Membership is priced at £20 a year for adults and permits run until April 30.
Outlets: Local shops Archline Angling sell year books. For more details call 01543 426158.
Location: Calf Heath Reservoir, Vicarage Road, Cannock, Staffs.
Facilities: Parking.
Rules: No tins on the bank, Hooks under a size 10 must be barbless.

 


Two Oxlease forties from Linear Fisheries

Maggots and Oxlease Lake are becoming an inseparable partnership – as Adrian Greaves’ incredible brace of 40s demonstrates.

The 27-year-old Birmingham angler fed eight gallons of wrigglers at the Linear Fisheries venue and banked 20 fish in just 24 hours – including the water’s first-ever 40lb mirror and a 46lb 10oz common.

The industrial cleaner fished close to the 26-acre lake’s only island and baited a gravel patch heavily from the off.

He told Angling Times: “It was a swim I’ve fished before, but it was also one of the only ones left on the lake as it was pretty busy.

“I Spombed out about three gallons of maggots to begin with. I was fishing with a mate and he had four fish before I’d had any, so I wasn’t sure whether to put more in or hold back, but I decided to hold back and once I started getting bites I kept topping up the area.”

The big common, which is the biggest at the Oxfordshire complex, arrived at 3pm on the first day, followed by the big mirror just an hour before the pair were due to pack up.

Adrian returned to the venue last week for a 48-hour session and managed another seven fish to 31lb on similar tactics.

Reflecting on the brace of forties, he said: “I was ecstatic, to be honest. I don’t think I’m ever going to have a better session in the UK.”

Adrian’s rigs incorporated two pop-up fake maggots and about 20 real ones on a Korda Maggot Klip tied to Korda’s N-Trap Soft hooklink material.

 

 


Catch Silvers At Kelsey Gardens

If you are fed up of commercial style carp puddles then why not pay the in-form Kelsey Gardens a visit this autumn for a nice net of roach and rudd. Hidden in the East Yorkshire countryside, the venue offers a more traditional style fishing experience in an area which is predominantly known as a commercial venue paradise.

There are two lakes here, the South Lake and the North Lake. The South Lake is used mainly for water sports so most anglers head to the North Lake which is dedicated for fishing only. It contains carp, bream, tench, crucians, roach, perch and rudd. The Lake is a former gravel pit, so as you would expect is has depths to suit - the majority of the lake is deep with an average depth of around 13ft. The north side of the lake has large lily beds, this being the shallower side of the lake and is probably the best at the moment for a good net of roach and rudd to 20lb. Due to the depths the feeder is a good tactic worth employing here so the venue could be a worthwhile subject if you want to improve your skills in this area as you won’t need to fish far out and species taken on it during the warmer months are mainly bigger, such as tench and bream. A simple groundbait, or method feeder with bigger, natural baits such as corn or meat are worth a try if you adopt this approach. For the rudd and roach you can’t beat loose-fed maggot on the pole, waggler or even the slider. At the moment these fish are coming shallow but as the temperatures drop the deck will be the best place to place your hookbait, at least to begin with. Alternatively, fish corn over a little groundbait for the tench and crucians in the margins.
There are also some large resident carp in the lake which can be caught on carp tactics including the bomb with boilies.

TIP: Don’t feed too heavy when using groundbait, little and often is the best tactic

Prices: £6 one rod, £8 for two, £12 for three, £1 off all prices for OAP’s
Location: Kelsey Gardens, Hariff Lane, Burstwick, E Yorks, HU12 9HU
Contact: 079739 09026, www.kelseygardens.org.uk
Facilities: Toilets, catering van Wed, Sat, Sun
Rules: Barbless only, no keepnets, no tiger nuts, litter to be taken home


48lb mirror on plastic tigers

Mike Milton recorded a session of a lifetime with two twenties, four thirties, and a 48.14 mirror – and there wasn’t a boilie in sight.

Even more remarkably, it was the Northants Specimen Group member’s first fishing trip since he banked a 30lb pike in February.

Arriving at a Colne Valley syndicate on a Monday, the 41-year-old sales director fished four nights and caught consistently throughout his session, despite only putting lines in the water when he was confident of a bite.

He told Angling Times: “I was just blown away by it. It was one of those sessions that just got better and better.”

Mike baited with a total of about 15kg of hemp and 2kg of tigers throughout the week, and used plastic tigers as hookbaits to combat the resident crayfish.
“I was catching consistently at 10pm, 1am and 5am,” said the Leicestershire rod, “so I’d reel in at about midday each day and bait up the spots. I then wouldn’t recast until about 7pm, so I was keeping lines out of the water.”

Mike’s fish came from clay areas up to 95 yards out and fell to five-inch Sufix Stealth Skin hooklinks tied to size 8 hooks tied fished blow-back style. Mike overweighted his pop-up plastic tigers so they sank slowly.

Describing the capture of the biggest fish of the session, he said: “The bite came in the dark at about 5am and I knew it was a decent fish due to the slow, heavy power of it. It came in with a bit of weed on it and when I shone my headtorch on it in the net I thought ‘that’s got to be close to 40lb’, but when I went to bring it out I could hardly lift it. On the mat I was just blown away by its sheer bulk.”

Mike's catch log:
Tuesday morning: 31lb common
Tuesday evening: 38lb 2oz mirror
Wednesday morning: 32lb 10oz common
Wednesday morning: 15lb mirror
Thursday morning: 48lb 14oz mirror
Thursday morning: 31lb 4oz mirror
Thursday: 22lb 4oz common and 13lb 8oz mirror
Friday: 17lb 4oz mirror and 20lb 12oz common
 

 


John Wilson: I've no regrets

As John Wilson packs his backs for his new life in Thailand, Angling Times were granted an exclusive interview with Britain’s most famous angler.

What is it about Thailand that has prompted you to move there?
It’s got a lot going for it as a fishing destination. For instance it’s hot all year, between 85 and 95 degrees F, the water temperature averages between 80 and 90 degrees and that’s important because it means that all the fish stocked into lakes and rivers grow very fat at an alarming rate and they’ve all got tremendous stamina. There are something like six species that grow to over 100lb and four of those grow to over 300lb so the fishing there is absolutely spectacular. Apart from that I love Thai food, so does my wife Jo, the little bit of arthritis we both suffer will perhaps go, the cost of living is less and it’s a challenge that we’re really looking forward to.

Do you feel sad about leaving the UK?
No not really. I’ve lived in the UK for most of my 70 years, and I’ve lived here at Lake House in these lovely grounds for 31 years. I’ve done everything I’ve wanted to do, run fisheries, planted trees, raised the kids and I’m ready for a new challenge.

How have things changed in fishing here in the UK?
The changes have been astronomical. I’ve just finished my latest book ‘Where to Fish in Norfolk and Suffolk’, the eighth edition 40 years, and the changes can be seen with each edition. Basically angling in the UK has gone from roach fishing to carp fishing. When I was a kid living in London there was a little lake where I caught little carp after my paper round and that was the only place where I could catch carp. Most of the lakes that hold carp now, even 40 and 50 pounders, weren’t even dug when I was a kid. At the same time of course, all the clear-flowing upper reaches of rivers in Norfolk especially have all been denuded of roach and dace by cormorants and so while I would sooner be trotting down a river with my centrepin, holding back and catching a big roach in the winter, I can’t do that any more because there are very few places to do it.

Are you leaving the UK with any regrets?
I like to think I haven’t got a single regret. I don’t wish to grow old as an angry old man moaning that the Wensum hasn’t got any roach in it any more and things like that. I’m going to Thailand, we’re going to have a fishery there, I’m going to follow my fishery instincts with all these weird and wonderful, exciting, colourful species so I’m going on to a new thing. I’ve got no regrets about the fishing in Britain because it is evolving on its own.

Are you leaving with a smile on your face?
Very much so. I loved fishing in Britain. I think I’ve had the best time that any angler could possibly have in Britain in the last 40 years. I’ve seen the swing from roach to carp, I’ve run my own fishery here at Lake House, I’ve looked out every day at this beautiful view that really is unique and I’ve caught lots of fish along the way.

What positive message can you leave for Britain’s anglers?
If you need to specialize as I have over the years, get yourself out there sea fishing. Catch a few bass from the beach, go up to Scotland and catch a big skate. O go to the Wye and catch a bag of barbel like I have with Martin Bowler (see feature on the centre pages). Don’t just put up with your own environment. We’ve all got good cars now, it doesn’t take too long to get anywhere. Broaden your horizons, fish new places.

People are saying you’ll soon be back. Is this the end of Wilson in the UK?
Obviously we’re going to be coming back for special occasions now and again but we’ve spent a lot of money having a bungalow built out there, we’ve a beautiful lake that I’ve had reshaped, it’s a jungle setting and we’ve got lots to do. I’m not say in later life when one or both of us become decrepid and we can’t handle it out there we won’t be back but who knows? People say to me: “Are you going for good?” to which I reply: “What’s for good?” I’m going with great intentions, a lot of hope and I’m really looking forward to it.

If there was one thing you could change as you leave, what would it be?
I would love to show kids the delight of putting a float down running water. I would love to have kids spend more time looking through polarising sunglasses and climbing trees than sitting in a bivvy. But each generation has its own guidelines by which it lives and it’s probably unfair for an old codger like me to what I want to see because the youth of tomorrow is already enveloped in the way it fishes and its desires and its hopes and its dreams and you can only be good at what you do and be well known in your own generation.

How would you like to be remembered by British anglers?
For the broadcasting I’ve done – 160 half-hour television programmes in 25 years. I’ve contributed to over 90 books, 40 of which have been my own books and just recently I’m delighted to have been involved with my new book which allows readers to scan it and watch a half-hour video on their smartphone or tablet. I can’t think of a better legacy than that.

What are your greatest memories of fishing in the UK?
This would take hundreds of hours but if I was forced I’d nail it down to two. A catch of nine double-figure bream that I caught slider fishing from a boat. That was a unique session and years before people started getting double-figure bream on carp gear. And I guess perch fishing on the Ouse, when I had three sessions when I caught four fish over 4lb per session. Dick Walker, my hero of the 1950s, used to write that perch were the biggest fish of them all and until you’ve caught a 4lb perch, you don’t know what he means. But when you actually catch a 4lb perch and hold it in your hands, you think somebody must have made it. It’s too big!

Will you miss fishing any particular waters in the UK?
The River Wensum for its big roach, and now having fished it with Martin Bowler I’ll miss the Wye and its barbel, but there’s not a lot that I’m really going to miss because I’ve had a wonderful life of fishing all over the British Isles.

What UK fishing styles will you miss?
Definitely long-trotting with a centrepin reel for big roach. That’s why I came back to Norfolk in the 1970s. Sadly that’s pretty well gone now in Norfolk but I have more recently gone down to other rivers like the Test, Dever and the Ouse and I’ve enjoyed some long-trotting. For me it’s the most skillful technique of all.

EXCLUSIVE! John Wilson's last UK interview


New Angling Times Issue 3131 out now!

This week’s Angling Times is packed full of news and features to make your fishing week one to remember. It’s been an incredible week for predators, with leading trout water Chew Valley producing a string of huge pike topped by a 42 pounder. TV’s Mr Angling John Wilson reveals the truth behind the filming of Go Fishing, Steve Ringer answers your commercial questions, and Martin Bowler explains how to make a pike trace.  We’ve also a huge Carp News section and exclusive tackle reviews. Angling Times is Britain’s No.1 fishing weekly – out on the iPad every Monday, in shops every Tuesday.

 


80,000 fish to stock club waters

Anglers are celebrating this week as it’s revealed that over 80,000 fish will be given away free this winter as part of a project designed to improve fishing across the nation.

The Environment Agency has announced that it is currently carrying out nettings at a handful of specimen fisheries and various club venues in order to remove huge numbers of surplus roach, bream and rudd.

It’s an operation that’s being spearheaded by the EA’s fisheries teams in the North West and the on-going nettings that will carry on until next March will create a huge pool of fish that will be given away to angling clubs that have either lost stocks through pollution, oxygen problems, or are just in need of a helping hand in order to boost catches for visiting anglers.

But it’s not just clubs and fisheries in the North West that are set to benefit from the work that’s funded directly from revenue generated from rod licence sales.

Similar schemes are also in operation in other regions with the latest being in the South West where thousands of  bream, roach and rudd being transferred from an unfishable stretch of the Wiltshire/Berkshire Canal to a council-run venue called Wichel Lake in Swindon.

 “There are lots of fisheries out there that have a surplus of silver fish, so by removing them and passing them onto clubs that really need them is giving both parties exactly what they want and improving sport for anglers that visit those waters,” said an Environment Agency spokesperson.

“We have many nettings planned during the winter months and any club that has suffered a fish-kill or any other problems has the opportunity of requesting some of the fish that have been removed by our netting operations.

To find out more contact the environment agency by using the link below:
http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/contactus/?lang=_e


In

Feeding time for big bream

October isn’t usually a month associated with the capture of big bream but they are certainly feeding up ready for the winter with a string of specimens hitting the bank topped by this 17lb fish.

Targeting this species is all about location and this was emphasised by Tring-based all-rounder Ken Brown, who located a clear spot between two weed beds and primed the spot with two kilos of pellets, a kilo of boilies, two tins of corn and two pints of dead maggots.

The first night of his 48-hour session failed to produce a bite, but his method feeders with two hair-rigged 10 mm boilies proved too hard to resist for the resident bream that reside in the tough southern stillwater.

Ken used 10lb line, 12lb coated braid hooklinks and size 8 hooks to get the better of bream weighing 13lb 6oz, 12lb 5oz and 11lb 8oz, but he had to wait until the final few hours of his stint until this huge bream graced the net.

“Big bream are creatures of habit so when you are targeting a hard water it’s important to make a note of all of the swims, areas and spots where you know fish have visited in the past as I had this catch from a location that had produced fish for me before,” said Ken.

“When I’m fishing over a bed of bait I’ll position one rod right over the top of it and then the other two on the edges and the biggest fish almost always fall to the baits that are presented on the perimeter of the feed.”

Another angler who had success at a difficult venue was Leicester’s Trevor Pole, who in the space of just five hours landed a 15lb 11oz personal best backed up with fish weighing 12lb 14oz, 12lb 2oz and 11lb 9oz.

He was fishing his local stillwater, that only contains a very small head of big bream, at 130 yards with helicopter rigs baited with three imitation casters  when he made his memorable haul that was topped with the fish that beats his previous best for the species by 3 oz.

“To catch a ‘pb’ along with a bag of other double figure fish is a real achievement for me because months can pass on this place without a bream even being seen let alone caught,” said Trevor.


Dream French session

Dreams came true for Sonny Chander during a French holiday that produced a succession of personal bests.

The 35-year-old West Midlander travelled to the Dream Lakes complex for the first time and fished the Lake One.

He said: “What can I say? What a session! It’s where my dreams came true. I smashed my French personal best five times. I caught five fish of 32lb, 36lb, 37lb, 45lb and 52lb.

“I snared these fish by targeting them using 2kg of bait a day at long range.”
Sonny used 10kg of Mainline’s Cell boilies and fished Planet Wafters attached to size 6 Fox Arma Point hooks and drop-off lead systems.

 


Macey lands his biggest barbel of the season

Former Olympic athlete Dean Macey has landed his biggest barbel of the season – this 13lb 10oz specimen from a southern river.

The Guru-backed rod arrived at the waterway with just an hour of light remaining and headed to a peg which he had seen a few fish in and baited up on a previous session.
Three bait droppers of Hinders Small Elips and Mainline Baits New Grange pellets were introduced before he left to swim to rest while he got the rest of gear ready.

He said: “I lowered my rig in just as the sun dipped behind the trees. I didn’t have to wait long until, without warning, my rod tip slammed round.”

After a powerful fight he beat his prize with an 18lb Korda Super Natural hooklink and a size 10 Guru MWG hook.


169lb Ebro catfish

This is a picture of what is believed to be the biggest catfish ever caught from a float tube.

The huge predator, weighing 169lb, was landed by Gerard Smyth while fishing under the expert guidance of Dee Mason who runs Monster Tours on the famous River Ebro in Spain.

“It was the most exciting and nerve wracking thing I have ever experienced,” said Gerard. “The fish just dragged me up and down the river like a wet sock and at one point dived in to a 60ft deep hole and did its best to pull me with it. After well over an hour I eventually won the battle.

“I am sticking to float tubing for pike in Ireland from now on, though. Maybe one day when my heart stops racing and I stop shaking with joy I might have another pop."